Arami

This is a more traditional sushi restaurant based on the selection.  It has different sushi rolls  than you find at most sushi restaurants.  It is definitely worth trying.

I snagged a prime time Valentine's Day reso at the 11th hour and I was really excited to finally eat here. I had a friend tell me it was 'the best sushi she's ever eaten.' The restaurant itself is great. Doesn't look like much when you first walk in with just the bar with a few high tops. A tip for any hopeful diners that can't get a reso, these high tops were for walk in guests and plenty available at 7:30pm.

The menu is kind of overwhelming at first, so I just took the recs of other yelpers and they didn't let me down. I'll pay it forward:

TORO TARTAR BITES - Everyone raves about these. Beautiful presentation but these are legitimately teaspoon sized portions. I might suggest trying it for the flavor, but FOR SURE not worth $5 apiece. I'd say skip these.

TOGARASHI SEARED TUNA - This was an excellent starter. Really nicely seared with a light dressing on top. Loved the seaweed salad and crunchy kelp noodles that it sat on. Our plate was completely empty.

LOBSTER CHIRAMUSI - This was one of the specials for the night and it really impressed. Nicely presented in a small heated pot, it was a silky custard with a rich broth topped with lobster. Great flavor and kind of melted in your mouth

MAITAKE - Off the Robata grill, these were Japanese seasoned mushrooms with a black sesame sauce on the side. Pretty tasty, not mind blowing. Appeased my vegetarian date so I was happy to try.

SECRET HAMACHI - Special Sashimi - Super fresh, thick cut yellow tail topped with mushroom, & truffle oil. Probably the best sashimi I've ever had. No soy sauce necessary, it's all about the flavors here.

MAGURO KANI - Special Nigiri - My favorite thing I ate all night. King crab on top of rice and wrapped with marinated tuna with roasted almonds on top. The most disappointing thing was that this only came as 2 pieces, I wish this was an entire roll.

HAMACHI MAGURO EBI - All the makis are beautifully presented. Really neat and tasty, and rightfully so because they only have a hand full of selections. This maki is filled with yellow tail, tuna, scallion and jalapeno and topped with shrimp and a little spicy mayo. A little kick but not too bad.

ARAMI RAMEN - Served last because it is the heaviest dish. As previously mentioned, I love ramen and had heard a lot of hype about the Arami ramen. I hate to say it, but it was a let down. As Jeremy L said, it was surprisingly mediocre. The pork belly was way to chewy and the broth lacked flavor. He described it best... it's like the broth wasn't stewed all night like other places. It's too bad.

To be clear, this place isn't for the gluttonous sushi lover that wants to down 5 maki rolls. Don't get me wrong, I love doing that but you have to know that coming in. It's like tapa style Japanese in that they give you small portions one at a time. We never even got soy sauce which speaks volumes that they really want you to appreciate the flavors rather then drench in soy. I left comfortably full and not stuffed.

The fact that this place is not BYOB is a shame, too. I hate to say it, but I would rather go to Yuzu down the street for a cheaper, more gluttonous sushi dinner.

Went there for my husband's birthday for omakase in December and we both loved it! The sashimi selection was wonderful. They served a variety of unique fishes, fishes that you don't normally order or even available in most jap restaurants. Highly recommend Arami for omakase.